God is a River (a.k.a. How I'll survive the next week)

"God is a River," Peter Mayer sings.  And that, friends, is how I'm able to keep myself sane during what for most folks would be extremely stressful.

This past week, a prominent member of our congregation and our local community, Tim Myrick, passed away after battling cancer.  Tim, in the midst of his fight, planned for his own memorial service.  And I, in my role as Temporary Music Director, got the great honor and privilege to carry out his wishes.  I can't tell you how deeply moved I am to be given this task in my final days serving ORUUC.  I am also really proud of our musicians, who have stepped in to learn new music to prepare for the memorial service today.

This was probably the most meaningful thing I've ever done in my life.  To honor someone of such character with music he wanted his family and friends to hear in his memory.  To bring his beloved wife closer to him in that moment.  I feel such pride and honor to have been able to serve in this way.  I am reconnected with my calling in such a deeply powerful way.

Music helps us remember.  Music heals. Music comforts an aching heart.

Which brings me back to my point.  God is a River.

A few weeks ago, I made the comment to Michael Raymond (don't shoot me, Music Directors) that I  didn't really understand why the holidays are so stressful for Music Directors.  I felt like we were well coordinated and pretty solid going into the holidays. For ORUUC, this includes a solstice service (12/21), solstice concert (12/23), and Christmas Eve (12/24).

Within a few days of making this comment, I had a group drop out of our solstice concert (dropping us down by two songs) and received word that Tim's passing was on the horizon.  Unexpected events.  Things I hadn't planned for.  Because, well... God is a River.

So, as Peter Mayer so eloquently put it:

So I’m going with the flow now, these relentless twists and bends 

Acclimating to the motion, and a sense of being led  

And this river’s like my body now, it carries me along  

Through the ever-changing scenes and by the rocks that sing this song 

Oh, the "ever-changing scenes" I've experienced this week.  Lots of rehearsals for the memorial service and upcoming holiday events, including my final Wednesday night choir rehearsal directing the choir.  I went from the memorial service this afternoon directly to back-to-back KSO Holiday Concerts.  I registered for classes in January and bought my books, one of which has already been delivered.  I lit the menorah with my family.  I've been grumpy.  I've been ecstatic.  I've been overjoyed.  I've been sad.  I've been worried.  I've been proud.  Above all, I've been confident that this calling is deeply connected to my soul.

I'm looking forward to Solstice Concert and Christmas Eve services this week.  Then, I'm looking forward to a nap.

Last Week (12/7 - 12/14)

Wow, last week was fun!  There were kids singing with drums, guitars, bass, piano, and adults!  There was opening the holiday season with a sing-a-long for Handel's Messiah!  There were moments of quiet reflection in the beauty of ensemble singing.  The whole week... just incredible.

Let me break it down for you.  This is taken directly from my (handwritten) journal entry after the performance with the kids on 12/7.

Aaaaaaaaa!  So fun!  What a joy to conduct the kids choir, band, and choir at the same time.  I don't think I'll forget that experience anytime soon.  I did take away that I need to get closer to the choir to give instructions when it's that busy and to remember to turn around and smile and show off the group when I'm done.  I forgot both of these things!  Also, it's important to know that everyone can see you.

Right after the big song, I spent time with our earth-based spirituality group, EMBERS.  It was really meaningful for me to be invited into the circle to help teach and tweak several chants for their upcoming solstice service.  And, thankfully, chants don't require any piano proficiency on my part.  :)

Then, it was off to sell pizza for our band fundraiser.  We're raising money for an electronic drum kit, so our percussion can be better balanced through our house sound system.  It was a great success - we raised several hundred dollars - but I had to chuckle as I took out trash all dressed up when we were cleaning up!

I think I managed to go home for about an hour before I had to be back at church for the Messiah Sing-a-long.  The sound of chorus and orchestra together in our space is really lovely.  I also had a solo ("Come Unto Him"), which helped ground me in remembering my own voice.  Afterwards was a reception and it was so nice to spend time munching on sweets with everyone.

Later in the week, I enjoyed singing with the Knoxville Chamber Chorale for our Christmas concert.  Thankfully, Josh took a video so you can all enjoy this moment of, "Aaaaaaaaahhh" in your holiday season.

http://youtu.be/ZTa8SmXnGoo

The week ended with sitting in an advisor's office, putting my schedule together to start music classes in January.  Yes, friends, it's back to school for me!  Stay tuned -- I am sure there are many more blog posts to come about what I learn in class.

I'll end with this thought I had while watching our "Sorta Singers" group rehearse.  They invited me to their rehearsal to give feedback before they performed in service the next day.  As I listened, I couldn't help but think, "What a life I have.  Who gets to live the life that they were hoping for so soon after they heard it calling?  I feel like I was given this beautiful gift."  All of their music centered around Hanukkah and I, for one, am enjoying the light I have been able to find in this cold, dark winter.